Overcoming Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a serious illness. Health professionals use the terms depression, depressive illness or clinical depression to refer to something very different from the common experience of feeling miserable or fed-up for a short period of time.

When you are depressed, you may experience extreme sadness that can last for a long time. These feelings are severe enough to interfere with your daily life, and can last for weeks or months, rather than days.

Depression is a fairly common condition, around 15% of people will have a bout of severe depression at some point in their lives. However, the exact number of people with depression is hard to estimate because many people do not get help, or are not formally diagnosed with the condition.

A few people still think that depression is not a real illness and that it is a form of weakness or admission of failure. This is simply not true. Depression is a real illness with real effects, and it is certainly not a sign of failure.

Who Suffers Depression?

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men, although men are far more likely to commit suicide. This may be because men are more reluctant to seek help for depression. Depression can affect people of any age, including children. Studies have shown that 2% of teenagers in the UK are affected by depression. People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience depression themselves.

What are the Treatments for Depression?

Depression affects people in many different ways and can cause a wide variety of physical, psychological (mental) and social symptoms. The recommended treatment will vary depending on the severity and duration of the depression.

Mild depression

If you are diagnosed with mild depression but your GP thinks you’ll improve, you can have another assessment in two weeks’ time to monitor your progress. This is known as ‘watchful waiting’.
Antidepressants are not usually recommended as a first treatment.
Exercise seems to help some people. While your progress is being monitored, your GP may refer you to an exercise scheme with a qualified fitness trainer.
Talking through your feelings is also helpful. You may wish to talk to a friend or relative, or a qualified counsellor.

Moderate Depression

If you have mild depression that is not improving, or you have moderate depression, your GP may recommend a ‘talking treatment’ such as counselling and prescribe an antidepressant.

Severe Depression

Your GP may recommend that you take an antidepressant, together with talking therapy. A combination of an antidepressant and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) usually works better than having just one of these treatments.

How Can Counselling Help?

Counselling helps you to think about the problems you are experiencing in your life, in order to find new ways of dealing with them. A counsellor will support you in finding solutions to problems, but do not tell you what to do.

Counselling may be used in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and antidepressants to overcome depression.

Counselling sessions with Sarah can be arranged for £40 per session, or £360 for 10 sessions (get your 10th session free).

If you cannot face leaving your home, home visits can be arranged - please call or email Sarah to discuss your needs.